"Gestures, body movements, facial expressions, and eye contact are behaviors termed
kinesics" (Jandt, pg.113)" How kinesics work is that there are different ways of the same symbol that mean different things in differing countries. "The "V for victory" sign made popular during World War II by Winston Churchill is appropriately made by showing the palm. In the united States in the late 1960s, the same gesture became a symbol for peace (Dresser, 1996). When former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher made a "V for victory" sign during an election campaign, she showed the back of her hand. That gesture signifies at least nine different obscenities!" (Jandt, pg. 115). This demonstrates how the gesture of the peace sign (what I believe to be the sign for peace or peace out) is looked upon in certain cultures. Another example of that is the eye contact part of the kinesics. "A wink is improper in Australia and impolite in parts of Asia. People from Asian, Latin American, Caribbean, and American Indian backgrounds may offer respect by avoiding eye contact. Looking someone directly in the eyes may be interpreted as a provocation that can lead to violence. Repeatedly blinking the eyes is considered impolite in Taiwan and Hong Kong (Armstrong & Wagner, 2003). In parts of the United States, such as Appalachia, more people have heard of the belief in the "evil eye" - the power attributed to certain persons of inflicting injury or bad luck by a look" (Jandt, pg. 116). This all demonstrates the kinesics of certain and typical behaviors demonstrated by movements and gestures and the like. An example with my family, although I am half Nicaraguan, my dad holds the belief of always looking a person in the eye when being talked to because that is a sign of respect and understanding. When I do not look him in the eyes, he gets made and irritated. Another example, when I listen and not look, my mom gets upset that I am not giving her my full undivided attention and that is an example of the kinesics that belong to my household and upbringing. To me, I could care less of eye contact, as long as people understand and listen to what I have to say. If I feel they are not attentive to me, I have to make sure they are giving me some eye contact.
I laughed at the last part because that's how i feel about eye contact as well! But its crazy how certain gestures can mean different things in different cultures like a wink or the piece sign. I use the piece sign a lot of a way of saying bye to my friends. Or if i am far away i will use it as a way of acknowledging the fact that i see them. However as far eye contact goes my family is the same way, they feel though it is disrespectful if you are looking all over the place while you are talking to them. Furthermore my mom use to always think i was lying if i didnt look her in her eyes.
ReplyDeleteThis form of Nonverbal communication is great.Kinesics can tell a lot about a person emotions or mood without saying a word. Body posture and body language can describe if a person is happy or sad. Unfortunately I am the type of person that wears their heart on their sleeve, so I can walk into a room and just by the way I look or my body movements. this has always been an issue of mine. I have the same problem with my mother if I am not giving her my full attention then she assumes I am not listening and she does not like that. So when she speaks I try to be more attentive, because I want my childern to respect me when I speak to them.
ReplyDeleteAnd kinesics I believe is the most important aspect of nonverbal communication. After all, actions speak louder than words in the end.
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